Game rules rarely produce excitement and anticipation, however there are exceptions. After reading the rules to StrataMax Games' Tammany Hall, it streaked to the top of the "must have" list. With assistance from Warfrog, Tammany Hall was been tweaked and improved from its original 2007 version. Upon hearing that stateside distribution would be limited to roughly 200 copies, I placed an order as soon as possible and it arrived this Tuesday.

Tammany Hall was a political powerhouse that organized New York City's immigrant population into political clout. The game is set in the Boss Tweed era, roughly 1850 to 1870. The gameboard is a very striking period map of the Lower Manhattan neighborhoods. Wards are set in muted autumnal colors of red, burnt orange and brown. Well laid out, vital game information is easily found on the game board.

The theme feels intregal rather than merely superficial. From the manual, the Overview of Play:

Tammany Hall is played over a period of sixteen years, divided into four term. During each year players will be able to use the power associated with their office. They can also either place two ward bosses or one ward boss and one immigrant cube on the board. If they place an immigrant cube they also take a political favor chip of the same color. Players also have the chance to slander each other.

An election is then held at the end of every fourth year. An election is held in each ward, the winner being the player who has the highest total of ward bosses and favor chips. Players expend favor chips in a sealed bid, so you are never quite sure what the opposition is going to do.

The player who wins the most wards becomes the mayor. He then assigns city offices to the other players, which they use to their advantage. Victory points are scored for winning elections in wards and becoming mayor. After four terms the game ends and bonus points are awarded for favor chips in hand and any remaining slander chips.

I am looking forward to playing this game.

I had this game on my list since before it was published in 2007....but rather lost track of it. Thanks to Tom's report, I have ordered a copy for myself. Once again Tom's research abilities have paid off for me!

It pays off and costs you all at the same time.